Chapter Fifty-Seven: Jade Wine Brewed by the Immortal, Fragrance Wafts for Ten Miles (Part Four)

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Night had fallen, and the stars hung sparsely beside a bright moon.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Someone was at the door.

“Come in.”

Zhang Yu rose from bed. “Uncle Shuo, what brings you here so late? Is there something urgent?”

The visitor was Zhang Shuo, the steward of the Zhang family. A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, and his breathing was hurried. “Young master, there are two people at the gate asking for you…”

Before the Zhang residence, two figures stood side by side.

“Father, coming to someone’s house so late at night… If word gets out, it’ll become a laughingstock!”

Spring Yu Xia, unable to dissuade her father, was so anxious she stamped her foot.

“Do you really think your old man is all courage and no wit? If I came to beg for wine in broad daylight, it’d be much easier to be seen. At night, there’s nothing to worry about. Trust your father, you’ll see I’m right!” Chunyu Qiong was brimming with self-satisfaction.

“Why can’t you just go and buy it openly—”

“Xia’er, you’re still young and unfamiliar with the ways of the world. If my colleagues found out I’d come to buy Immortal’s Brew, wouldn’t they all flock to our home demanding wine? After all, your father is a senior general under Lord Yuan; I’m not afraid Zhang Yu will refuse me!”

Chunyu Qiong was stroking his beard with pride when Chunyu Xia, eyebrows arched like a girl’s, said, “But if you buy it now, it’s not just commoners who’ll follow suit—won’t your colleagues do the same? When our lord discovers his civil and military officials are all running to Zhongshan, even abandoning their duties for three days just to get this wine, what will he think?”

She lifted her delicate brows. “If our lord becomes displeased by his ministers neglecting their duties for the sake of wine, others might get off lightly, but as the instigator, you’ll be made an example of.”

Chunyu Qiong sobered at her words, and for a moment, he hesitated, pacing back and forth at the gate. Just as he was about to send Chunyu Xia away, the door opened.

“Zhang Yu of Zhongshan greets General Chunyu and Young Master Chunyu.”

Chunyu Qiong looked every bit the seasoned general, but his son caught Zhang Yu off guard. At a closer look, the young man’s features were finely drawn, his skin pale, lips delicate, and under the moonlight he seemed almost otherworldly—a vision that set Zhang Yu’s heart racing for reasons he couldn’t explain.

“What on earth? Is there really someone more delicate-looking than me?” Zhang Yu muttered inwardly.

“Ah, well, Zhang Yu…” Chunyu Qiong looked at Zhang Yu, then his own child, at a loss for words. “You… you’re doing well, I see.”

“Ah… yes, I’m doing well.”

What’s going on here? Isn’t Chunyu Qiong a great general under Yuan Shao? Why is he knocking on my door in the dead of night?

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Seeing Zhang Yu’s utterly bewildered expression, Chunyu Xia sighed and stepped forward. “Master Zhang, I am Chunyu Xia. Today, my father and I came to Zhongshan for a visit. As it is already late and we cannot return in time, we dared to come to the Jade Gentleman’s residence to seek shelter for the night. If it is inconvenient, we will find another place.”

With that, she bowed to Zhang Yu.

“Yes, yes! If it’s troublesome, we’ll leave right away!” Chunyu Qiong chimed in hastily.

Zhang Yu raised his brows, suspicion clear on his face as he studied the two visitors, until a flush crept up the handsome youth’s cheeks.

“As it is General Chunyu, please follow me,” Zhang Yu said at last, leading them to a guest room. Along the way, he pondered, “Chunyu Qiong—his drunken blunder burned down Wuchao and left a gaping hole for Yuan’s army at Guandu. The man lives for wine, and now, with Immortal’s Brew about to go on sale, did he really bring his son all this way just… for wine?!”

Now feeling he knew exactly what this father and son were after, Zhang Yu found the situation both amusing and pitiable. He silently sympathized with Yuan Shao, burdened with such an eccentric general, as he settled the pair into a newly prepared guest room.

Night deepened, and soon the world was enveloped in tranquil silence. Whatever was to come would reveal itself in the morning.

…

“My lord, not yet retired for the night?”

Xi Zhicai entered the study, smiling, holding a small jar no bigger than a palm.

“Haha, not yet. I was just thinking of you, Zhicai, and here you are.” Cao Cao rose from his couch and took a seat in the room.

“Oh? Haha, if the madam knew her lord was awake this late thinking only of loyalty, she might have some complaints about your devotion,” Xi Zhicai replied with a mischievous grin.

“Zhicai, don’t tease!” Cao Cao laughed. “I was just wondering when Wang Gong of Dongjun would come seeking aid, just as you predicted.”

“Eh!” Xi Zhicai waved a hand dismissively. “Tonight, let’s set aside such worldly matters. I’m here to present you with a treasure!”

At the mention of treasure, Cao Cao’s gaze fell at once on the little jar in Xi Zhi’s hands. “Is it that?”

“I was just discussing affairs with Wenruo by lamplight when a servant reported that Xun You had sent a gift from Hebei. We went to see, and it turned out to be a jar of wine!”

“A jar of wine? Zhicai, don’t jest with me! Would Xun You really send a jar of wine all the way from Hebei? Is it some sort of celestial brew?”

“My lord,” Xi Zhicai’s voice was laden with meaning, “it is precisely celestial brew.”

Zhang Residence, Drunken Immortal Tavern.

In the main hall, three people sat before a table, atop which rested a single jar of fine wine.

“I cannot sell you this wine, General, but I can gift you a jar.”

“Why?! Do you think I, Chunyu Qiong, can’t afford it?” The fragrance alone was intoxicating, and if not wary of Yuan Shao’s relationship with Zhang Yu, Chunyu Qiong might have resorted to force.

Zhang Yu’s gaze was unwavering. “It is for your own good, General. I am not especially clever, but I know a little of reading men’s faces. If you can restrain your drinking, you may avoid disaster.”

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I’m not short of money—I want to make a name for myself with these hundred jars of wine, and if Chunyu Qiong buys half at once, what’s left for me?

“Father, this is Zhongshan, it’s someone else’s tavern. What are you doing? Besides, Zhang Yu is right. How many have come to ruin over drink? Even mother has often scolded you for this…”

“Xia’er, why are you taking his side in lecturing your father? He just doesn’t want to sell me the wine! Boy, do you think my blade is dull?”

“Shh! Quiet, please,” Zhang Yu urged, waving his hands. “If you don’t lower your voice, I fear you truly won’t leave this tavern tonight…”

“Insolent brat! Such bold words—let’s see—”

“Who dares make a scene here!”

Eighteen armored men swept in from the courtyard, blades flashing. The young man at their head radiated an aura that made even Chunyu Qiong feel powerless to resist.

But a general remains a general. “Xia’er, today your father will show you the skills that once earned him a place as one of the Eight Captains of the Western Garden with our lord!”

Chunyu Qiong barely finished speaking before the tavern was flooded with soldiers. Doors and windows burst open, and ranks of armed men surrounded the hall in layers, sealing it tight.

Faced with such force, Chunyu Xia was momentarily stunned, and even Chunyu Qiong turned grave. Years of command told him there were at least seven or eight hundred men here. To fight their way out? Impossible.

“So, Zhang Yu of Zhongshan, you keep a private army and want to kill a general of the Yuan clan—I—”

“Father… these are our own men.”

“What?!” Chunyu Qiong looked closely and realized the soldiers all wore Yuan army armor. He was instantly delighted. “Zhang Yu, your end is here! Today I’ll take your head and report to our lord myself!”

“Alas,” Zhang Yu sighed softly, “General Shen, escort him back to Ye City.”

“Yes, young master!”

Chunyu Qiong was dumbfounded. “You… you dare betray our lord?!”

Chunyu Xia seemed to understand. Turning to Zhang Yu, she said, “Jade Gentleman of Zhongshan, I will remember your favor tonight.”

Zhang Yu looked back at Chunyu Xia. Yet, as their gazes met, no spark passed between the two beautiful youths; instead, Zhang Yu found himself picturing raindrops falling on green grass… How could such a delicate young man possibly be the child of a rough, boisterous fellow like Chunyu Qiong?

“In answer to General Chunyu: the lord named us the Wine Guards and sent us here to safeguard Young Master Zhang and the Immortal’s Brew. We answer only to Young Master Zhang. If there has been any offense, I beg the general’s pardon!”